Information about the Program

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Community Learning Program

Curriculum

The Community Learning Program is an opportunity for students to engage in a meaningful experience through sharing time and talent with community members outside of The Laboratory Schools. In exchange the students gain a greater awareness of life experiences different from their own. Successful completion of this program is a graduation requirement. The program consists of two parts:

two quarters of community learning field experience and
a year-long weekly seminar

The program is generally completed during the students sophomore year.

COMMUNITY LEARNING - FIELD EXPERIENCE - 2010

Pre-requisite: None
Credit: None

Community Learning Field Experience consists of two quarters of weekly involvement at a community institution, school, agency, church, or hospital. Students can: (1) select a site from a group of sites with which the school has established a relationship with or (2) students may design their own project with prior approval of the Community Learning Coordinator.

Please indicate on registration form which quarters you will take this course:
1, (Fall) 2, (Winter) 3, (Spring) or 4 (Summer between freshman and sophomore year)

COMMUNITY LEARNING - SEMINAR - 2020

The Community Learning Seminar is a weekly course which is presented through the sophomore advisory program. The course involves discussion, journal writing, role-playing, and other experiential activities that facilitate reflection on the relationship between the individuals and community.

The seminar is facilitated by Peer Leaders are juniors and seniors have completed their program requirements and have received additional leadership training. Peer Leaders are motivated both by an interest in experiential learning and a desire to promote community awareness and involvement among their peers.

NOTE: The Community Learning Coordinator will assist any student who expresses an interest in service-learning.

COMMUNITY LEARNING PROGRAM - PEER LEADERS - 2009

Pre-requisites: Junior or Senior who has fulfilled their community learning requirement, submit application, be interviewed and selected, available during freshman/sophomore advisory period
Credit: none
Limit: 24 students

Peer Leaders are juniors and seniors motivated by their interest in experiential learning and a desire to promote community awareness and involvement among their peers. They facilitate the Community Learning Seminar on a weekly basis in conjunction with the sophomore advisory program and provide support and guidance to the students fulfilling their graduation requirements. Peer Leaders educate the schools student body about current social issues through a variety of events.

Peer Leaders are individuals who demonstrate good leadership, facilitating and communication skils and able to work individually as well as a team member.

Applications are available during the month February. Students cannot sign up for this course without the written approval of the Community Learning Coordinator.

Peer Leader Application Form

Handbook